A Kick-Ass start !

I appreciate So Mun's character development in the series. From a high school kid who is unable to control his emotions, he learned so much from being a Counter. From the very start, he's more powerful from the others. I didn't expect the ending though! He was possessed by another partner spirit. It never crossed my mind that it would be possible. What a twist! So he's like the most powerful counter now?

I also appreciate Se-jeong here! I love her ever since I watched her from School 2017 and seeing her act in this series makes me appreciate her more. This is far from the roles she portrayed before (from cutesy to edgy). Her character is badass here and she is perfect for it. 🖤

I would like to see more of her and her story in the second season! Especially Mo-tak. They did him dirty by making the love of his life dead. I hated that scene! I was rooting for them! I also prayed that Ms. Chu won't die on this season and please don't let her die even on the next season. Protect her at all cost. 🥺 I also want her to end up with Jang-mul. SHIP! 💑

I'm glad that aside from his Counter family and his loving grandparents, So Mun has his loyal friends. They are a big part of his journey as a Counter especially during this early training days. They never left him even he's MIA most of the time .

The first writer left her job after 12 episodes and was replaced in the last 4 episodes. You can easily tell because of the sudden twists. So Mun was the center again and the other Counter's stories are left hanging. I like how the Counters and their Yung partners unite at the mid and ending. Even though they had conflicts in the past.

Son Ho-jun's cameo. This is unexpected but I had the feels that it might not end well and I was right. It still hurts even though we only got to see him in a short period. I really hope they won't lose another member even on the next season. 😢

So Mun got the happy ending he deserves. He finally met his parents and this is where we all cried.😭 Haha! The new writer really knows how to play with our feelings. I almost believed that his parents won't recognize him.

The ending is satisfying as it gave us a proper closure. It also gave us a hint of what can we expect in season two. So why is this a top tier kdrama this year? Watch it so you will know! Haha. It will make you hooked on the first episode and the ending will make you anticipate for the second season. It gathered high ratings as it reaches the ending. The casts are perfect and the story is unique. The fighting scenes are also smooth and badass.

And you read it right! They announced that there will be a second season. Can't wait for it! I will miss watching this series. How about you? Have you watched this series? If not, add it on your list! 😉

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The Gist: Timid, rich college student Pete's (Saint Suppapong Udomkaewkanjana) life changes when engineering student Ae (Perth Tanapon Sukhumpantanasan) hits him with his bike. The two develop an immediate friendship, with Ae stepping in to help handle a student threatening Pete because of his sexuality. The strong bond of their friendship begins to pose questions for Ae about what he feels for Pete and if it goes further than friendship. Ae's porn-obsessed, nosy roommate Pond (Yacht Surat Permpoonsavat) is desperate to help the naive Ae succeed in his romance, by any means necessary. But Pete's friend, Tin (Mean Phiravich Attachitsataporn), can't help interfering in his relationship because he believes them to be in a different class from Ae and his excitable friend Can (Plan Rathavit Kijworalak).

This. This. This. THIS! Pete and Ae are serious relationship goals. Aghhhh. In the beginning of the show, Ae never makes Pete feel bad about being gay or that they have to draw boundaries in their friendship because of it. Ae is always extremely honest with Pete and never lets misunderstandings survive between them. This develops a strong trust between them. When Ae starts having romantic feelings, he tells Pete about them. When he feels jealous, he tells Pete about it. What I love best is that Ae is not dumb about Pete's feelings. He guesses that Pete feels romantically for him and he says that he can tell the way Pete looks at him is different from the way he looks at others. So may characters like Ae can't take a hint if it hits them in the face, but Ae doesn't press Pete, but is very aware of the way they treat each other. I love that Ae wants to see Pete constantly, even before they start dating.

Let's talk about the physical stuff. Man, LBC really goes for it on that regard. Rather than a chaste kiss here and there, Pete and Ae can't keep their hands (mouths, bodies, lives) off of each other). I am usually happy for a few kisses in a drama, but this goes way beyond it. To borrow a phrase from Maggie Steifvater, both boys were hungry, but Ae had been starving longer. Once he touches Pete, it's like the floodgates were opened. He can be gentle, or throw Pete against a locker long enough to get his tie off. What is great is that Ae always checks for consent with Pete, when it's their first kisses or when they have sex, Ae always make sure Pete is OK with it. Bless poor Ae for needing to google how to have sex with Pete, but it's good to see that he is fairly insecure, even when he acts so confidently with Pete. The physical side of their relationship is built up on how strong their emotional bond is.

So, Pete has to come out to his mom in episode 1 and she is my hero. She is sure to make sure Pete knows she loves him not matter who he loves. She fully embraces his independence and Ae. She can tell that Ae is a good man and is wholly supportive of them. I always love when a drama goes for a supportive parent, especially because it makes such a difference in LGBT relationships. I am glad they show Ae meeting Pete's mom and her approving of him. It's very important to have this kind of representation in this age.

Let's talk about Pond. I was super annoyed by how openly perverse he is (who watches porn this openly???), but he is a surprisingly complex character. Although he is overly nosy, he really does want to support Ae. He may tease him but is happy to give him advice and set him up on dates. He even offers to buy Ae lube and slips him condoms. Ae doesn't want this much interference, but it's so nice that Pond really looks out for him. What really pushed Pond over the top for me is his experience with ChaAim (Cherreen Nachjaree Horvejkul), who you may recognize from Puppy Honey.

He is so aggressively flirtatious with her at first, but when they finally start dating, he is so respectful of her body and choices. He is willing to go at her pace and never wants to pressure her. Really he has even more restraint than Ae does. I wasn't sure how they were going to resolve the way he is, but ChaAim handles him perfectly. Pond needs someone who can boss him around a little bit and ChaAim is perfect at that. Moreso, I love how supportive Pond and ChaAim are of Ae/Pete. Neither makes them feel weird about their relationship and I love the scenes with all four of them together. Actually this show is overwhelmingly supportive of Ae/Pete overall. It has a good message of tolerance.

Let's talk about Tin/Can. I think this show draws out their antagonism too long. I love hate to love relationships, but Tin is just a jerk for way too long. Pete gives him too much leeway. I get that he's got trust issues, but you can't just treat people like garbage without repercussions. In that sense, Can is a perfect foil. He doesn't let Tin get away with anything, which makes him more trustworthy to Tin. I think the change in Tin happens too fast. He goes from hating to pursuing him really quickly. No wonder Can has whiplash. Still, it's great to see Tin soften up. He is much more handsome when he is being vulnerable and kind.

I think aside from these stories, LBC is trying to tell too much. There's also a will they/won't they? thing with two stepbrothers and a weird high school student chasing the soccer coach thing. The story-lines are so randomly inserted and spread out that I just really didn't care about them. I was somewhat invested in the stepbrothers storyline, but the whole story is like less than one episode long. I don't think it builds it up enough and the entire story is just the younger brother keeping a secret while the older brother is supportive. It just didn't mesh well with the rest of the show. If they were going to keep these stories in, they should have built them up a bit. Otherwise, I'm just not sure it's worth keeping them in.

Final Grade: A

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The Verdict

I would say that Princess Silver is not too bad that it is worth spending the time to go through the entire 58 episodes. Maybe you can skip some episodes to make it worth your while, especially if you prefer to watch Rong Le with a specific male lead rather than all 3. The plot twists kept me interested to the end. The constant curiosity over Rong Le’s identity also made me plow on despite some parts getting a little long-winded such as the power play in the southern states ruled by Wu You.

So, I would say watch it for the plot. The various relationships among the different characters and what they might be up to could be a little complicated though. Hence, it’s preferable to watch it with subtitles if you don’t understand Mandarin. The plot starts to thicken after 12 episodes or so which means you must be patient enough to sit through the beginning to understand the later parts of the drama. I was able to do that without much complaint unlike Legend Of The Phoenix which I have to drop after the first 3 episodes.

What Might Put You Off
While Princess Silver is a drama that has a strong female character in Rong Le, the storyline might be a tad incredulous for some. Like the Heaven Sword And Dragon Sabre whereby the male lead has 4 female admirers, Princess Silver has 3 men who are willing to sacrifice everything for her. To add to that, all the 3 are royalty.

The acting too is nothing to shout about. The chemistry between Rong Le and Wu You is lacking to me which I think is partly why there are many viewers who also rooting for her with Fu Chou and even Rong Qi. Different people will have different opinions as to who suits Rong Le best.

I know Wu You is supposedly stoic and shrewd. But Aarif Rahman’s portrayal seems a little too stiff which fails to give the character more depth. On the other hand, Jing Chao manages to give Fu Chou different dimensions to this character as he is supposed to be neither all good nor bad. There are more subtleties to his expressions and body language which makes Fu Chou more interesting to watch.

Thus, if you do not like Wu You, Princess Silver will be a pain to watch. After all, Wu You’s character dominates the screen time in the first quarter of the drama before Fu Chou comes in. Even then, Wu You continues to show up in his battle with Fu Chou and meetings with Rong Le. Furthermore, Sophie Zhang’s Rong Le overshadows Wu You to some extent. That is why I find the chemistry lacking between these 2 leads that I don’t feel so invested in their relationship to be able to really feel the ups and downs of their romance.

Conclusion
In conclusion to this Princess Silver review as to whether it is worth watching, I’d say give it a go. It is a very intriguing story adapted from a novel that reveals how much a man would sacrifice for the woman he loves, how much one can hate for the wrongs done to them, and how painful it is to have regrets. Just look beyond the acting and you might just enjoy the drama with its twists and turns.

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Great Life Lessons!

Be Yourself is indeed a nice surprise as a youth drama. I think it is underrated and certainly deserves more viewership and attention. However, be aware that it is not a college romance drama. There is an element of romance but it is not the central theme. Love matters is just one of the many issues facing the protagonists. So, if you are expecting a full-blown romance like in The Love Equations, this would not satisfy that craving.

Instead, Be Yourself has a slice-of-life feel as the drama depicts the university life of 4 young women. It doesn’t have a solid main plot with a continuous story to follow but simply problems or crises that befall the girls during their 4 years in university. So, a problem may crop up affecting one of the girls and this will take an episode or two to resolve before the attention shifts to another character. It may seem like an overly simple drama but this is also precisely where its greatest strength lies.

A Story That Will Resonate With Students
Be Yourself is a drama that most students will be able to relate to. If you have gone to university, this might also bring you down memory lane to the times when you are still young and absorbing life lessons. Through the different personalities of the 4 protagonists who are thrown together as dorm mates, the screenwriter manages to weave together a story that teaches us valuable lessons that we can’t get from text books. These lessons are briefly narrated by Xiao Yu at the end of each episode as a summary.

Hence, there is a heavy dose of realism in the drama and you can feel for the girls. This is because what they face is typical of what a girl will encounter at that stage of her life. Having a crush, being envious, respecting privacy and boundaries, conflicts with parents, losing a loved one, and being yourself are some of the issues explored in the drama. As the plot progresses, it also shows a deepening friendship among the girls which is heartwarming.

This is not a long-winded drama. Problems get resolved pretty quickly rather than get dragged out as the main point is to show the lesson learned. The first few episodes may seem like a bore as you are introduced to the different personalities. But as the story moves along, you will start to get used to them with each being unique and lovable in their own way.

Good Contrast Of Characters
Not many dramas will give equal attention to 4 characters, with all being females too. This one is done rather well as it successfully projects the uniqueness of each character and the title Be Yourself sums it up perfectly. Just like in your group of friends whereby everyone is different from appearance to life experiences, the same goes for the girls in the drama. The contrasts in the characters’ personality and family background is cleverly depicted in the drama to give us a very natural feel of 4 strangers being forced to live together by chance.

All the characters are certainly well-written and styled differently. They don’t appear as one-dimensional despite the shorter screen time for each with the attention being divided among the 4 of them. There is growth for each one of them by the end of the drama. It should be since they spent 4 years going though ups and downs while in university and thinking about their uncertain future once they graduate. That is part of the satisfaction after following the girls’ journey over the 24 episodes.

Natural Depiction Of Friendship
I have to commend all the 4 ladies for their great acting. They manage to bring out the personalities of the characters that they are playing. Perhaps the casting was done right in the first place. Each one of them looks natural in their role and the contrasting characters as mentioned above become even more enjoyable to watch as a result.

The group also has great chemistry as friends. I don’t know if they are fond of each other off-cam but the way they laugh and cry together as on-screen friends look really heartwarming to a viewer. There is no awkwardness detected but pure friendship that looks convincing. The last time I watched Shen Yue and Zhang Ruo Nan is in Use For My Talent and Everyone Wants To Meet You respectively. I think they are the more experienced actresses compared to Vivienne Tien and Zhang Xin Yi. Nevertheless, there is no noticeable difference that I can see. It is indeed better this way rather than having one’s performance overshadowing another which will mar the enjoyability of the drama.

As for the guys, they do take a backseat in Be Yourself. They are relegated to supporting characters. So, if you want to watch more of Leon Leong, you can catch him in My Love, Enlighten Me instead.

My Verdict – Better Than Expected
Be Yourself is really better than expected where I’m concerned. As mentioned, I’m not one who is too fond of youth dramas. But this one really strikes a different chord in me. If you like friendship and coming of age stories, then this should be a good fit. The story is told in a very realistic way as you follow the girls’ lives through college. It will hook you until you would feel a sense of longing when it ends. You will find yourself wanting the drama to continue on as the protagonists leave you with the feeling that they have more to tell about their lives.

The drama will evoke certain emotions in you. There are touching and sad moments that might bring you a few tears. There are also happy and heartwarming moments. It is not depressing or a melodrama like Crush but neither is it a sweet college romance drama like Forever Love. It is simply the very ordinary lives of 4 university students being depicted in a way that is easily relatable especially among the younger viewers.

For this Be Yourself review, I would give it a score of 8/10. Don’t watch this for the romance. Instead, watch it for the friendship and life lessons. Some may find it boring as there is no strong plot to carry the drama. It is more of a mix and match of the different characters’ college life experiences bound together into a story. Therefore, you need to like this kind of storytelling to enjoy the drama. Otherwise, you will be wishing for more happenings and excitement after watching the first few episodes.

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A Heartwarming Story

From the first episode itself, you would know that Go Ahead is the kind of drama that requires quite a few pieces of tissues. The first 10 to 12 episodes will make you cry buckets. However, the sad moments are balanced out by heartwarming ones. Both will make you shed tears but they arouse different kinds of emotions. You will feel sad for the boys who got abandoned but you will also feel moved by Hai Chao’s love for them. If you like dramas that evoke deep feelings within you, Go Ahead is definitely one that you should watch.

Story
I find the story to be unique as there is not one but two abandoned kids. The circumstances that led to their fate are also different although both are tragic. There is hardly a boring episode for the entire drama with good pacing throughout. While there is always something happening with the characters, they are never overdone or exaggerated. In other words, the characters’ stories are very realistic and relatable.

Each of the characters has their own struggles and issues from unrequited love to depression. Some of them are carried over from childhood as the story tracks the ups and downs of the different personalities throughout a period of 20 years. So, the story will make you laugh and cry with them as it is told in a very vivid and engrossing way. At the very least, it made me eager to know what will happen to each of the characters as the drama progresses.

Acting
Seven Tan
Seven Tan certainly didn’t disappoint in her role as Jian Jian. She is way past being a teenager but still played the part of a schoolgirl convincingly. In the later episodes when she becomes a 25-year-old woman, she managed to display subtle changes to the character to reflect her age and maturity. I think she fits the role well with her adorable and cheerful look as Jian Jian is basically a happy and optimistic gal. If you have become her fan, you can also catch her in the costume drama called Under The Power.

Steven Zhang
As for the boys, I feel that Steven Zhang has outshone Song Wei Long in their portrayal as Jian Jian’s brothers. Perhaps it is because Zi Qiu is a more expressive character compared to Ling Xiao. Hence, Steven Zhang has the opportunity to showcase a more varied range of emotions which suits Zi Qiu’s personality. He also emits a brotherly vibe in his scenes with Seven Tan. Their chemistry as siblings is evident and heartwarming to watch. You can also catch Steven Zhang in Skate Into Love whereby he is paired up with Janice Wu Qian.

Song Wei Long
While Song Wei Long’s acting is acceptable, his portrayal of Ling Xiao is not totally convincing as someone with anxiety disorder. His chemistry with Seven Tan is only average to me as I can’t see the sparks and difference when the nature of their relationship changes. No doubt Ling Xiao is a challenging role to play with his reserved nature. One would need to rely on the eyes and facial micro-expressions to convey the emotions. In that sense, I just feel that Song Wei Long could have done a better job portraying Ling Xiao. Personally, I prefer him in Find Yourself than Go Ahead.

The rest of the cast also did a good job especially the 2 men who played Hai Chao and He Ping. They are central figures in the drama and hence, their performance is just as important. They successfully gave their characters the fatherly feel which contributed to the heartwarming emotions in the drama.

The Romance (Spoilers Alert!)
If there is one stain on this drama, it would be the romance. For me, I find it unnecessary although others may disagree. It is predictable who Jian Jian would end up with between the 2 brothers because it is laid out pretty early on in the drama. A few might even find the romance weird because they grew up as siblings although they have no blood ties.

While I’m fine with the transition from siblings to lovers, the way the romance started could have been better developed. Ling Xiao’s love for Jian Jian may have been there all along since high school but I get the feeling that his love has turned into an unhealthy obsession during their years apart. He has mental issues because of his toxic mother and Jian Jian is like his salvation. Somehow, I just find that is no longer a healthy way of loving someone.

After Ling Xiao returned home, he sort of pressured Jian Jian into a relationship. I guess some would say Jian Jian loves him. But to me, it is more of she didn’t have the heart to reject him then. Ling Xiao’s love for her is clouded by neediness and desperation. He needed Jian Jian for his mental well-being. So, there is an element of selfishness there which doesn’t quite jive with the loving brother image that has been crafted for the character early on. You can see the clear contrast with Zi Qiu who genuinely wanted to take care of Jian Jian and make her happy.

Hence, I’m not too keen on their romance. Alternatively, they could have allowed Jian Jian to slowly explore her feelings for Ling Xiao at her own pace. That would have been a better way to develop their love story for me.

My Verdict – Don’t Hesitate!
Generally, people prefer happy and sweet dramas and tend to shy away from tearjerkers. So do I. But after watching Go Ahead, my recommendation would be to give it a try. Don’t let the emotional nature of the drama put you off because this is indeed worth watching. At the end of it, you might just find it hard to let go of these 2 families. The story is realistic including the ending as not every character gets paired up for a fairytale-like conclusion which is typical of so many dramas.

While I’m not particularly fond of the romance, neither is it the focus of the drama. Hence, I could still enjoy this from start to finish. Basically, if you want a heavy dose of romance, then Go Ahead is certainly not the drama that you should watch. For that, you would be better off settling for rom-coms like Dating In The Kitchen or melodramas such as Here To Heart. Instead, watch Go Ahead for its heartwarming family ties, a father’s love, and close bond among siblings. If you end up liking the main couple as well, then that would be a bonus.

For this Go Ahead review, I would hand it a score of 8.5/10. The story managed to move me and get me emotionally invested. The characters are flawed with their psychological scars and emotional baggage which add to the realistic nature of the drama and makes it memorable. Some dramas are immediately forgettable after you have sat through them. But not Go Ahead. Give it a try and remember to have some tissues ready!

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A Very Slow Start

You Are My Hero leaves me the impression that it is not the typical romance drama that is full of fluff and sweetness à la Love Is Sweet and My Little Happiness. Instead, it is like a slice-of-life kind of storytelling with a great theme song thrown in at the right moments. The drama depicts the lives of our protagonists which revolve mainly around their work followed by their romance. Both of these aspects are intertwined as their work gets in the way of their romance but also helps it along as the nature of their jobs allows them to understand one another and become supportive of each other.

A Boring First Half
Personally, I find the first half of the drama to be incredibly slow. I was tempted to drop it around Episode 7 to 10 but soldiered on with a heavy dose of fast-forwarding. It is boring because many of the scenes are about the main characters’ daily work as a special police officer and surgeon. It alternates between the two characters’ work life with some romance thrown in between.

Hence, it is not entirely a police drama with lots of action or a medical drama with more interesting patient cases. You get bits and pieces of both worlds and I think this is where it falters as it becomes neither here nor there. While you do get surgery scenes in You Are My Hero, these do not have the same standard as a medical-themed drama which is much more focused such as TVB’s Big White Duel.

I guess one might argue that this is a romance drama in essence which is true as well. In a way, they need to set the foundation on the importance and selfless nature of the couple’s different professions to build up the romance. So, if you like this kind of little chunks of the daily life of the characters, then You Are My Hero would be a great drama to watch from start to finish. Otherwise, the drama only starts to get more interesting after the halfway mark as the characters grow on you.

A Different Feel To The Romance
It is hard to describe the romance between Ke Lei and Mi Ka. Perhaps it is apt to say that they have a very unique relationship dynamics between them. There is a lot of shyness in the beginning although they are both around mid to late 20’s in age. It is not like Love Scenery whereby the man is bold and there is not much awkwardness when it comes to physical intimacy. Ke Lei and Mi Ka’s interactions are respectful and innocent-like in contrast.

If you like to watch a step-by-step progress of a relationship from meeting to a wedding proposal, You Are My Hero would fit the bill. It details out the wooing stage and the experience of holding hands for the first time as well as the first kiss. The shyness and blushes give the romance between them a dose of innocence. After the couple get together, their interactions are cute and they like to joke with one another which is very different from the usual bickering like in Hello Mr. Gu or an overdose of fluff like in Perfect And Casual.

Basically, you don’t watch You Are My Hero for an intense romance. Ke Lei and Mi Ka’s relationship isn’t over-dramatic and it doesn’t give viewers fairy tale vibes all round. Instead, the romance feels more grounded and solid which is very different from pure fluff just to pump up the sweetness level.

Good Casting
I think whoever did the casting deserves a round of applause. Both Sandra Ma and Bai Jing Ting fit their characters really well. Sandra Ma gives Mi Ka a soft-spoken demeanor but steely determination as a surgeon. She shows toughness when she needs to be while changing into all smiles and cuteness when she is with the man she loves. The change in expressions is very natural when you watch her on-screen.

Bai Jing Ting also gives Ke Lei a very charming but shy persona despite being a tough man at work. It is satisfying to watch the contrast with the good acting skills displayed. When the leads are put together, they have their own kind of chemistry to project an easy-going and loving couple. Their facial expressions and body language show that they are very comfortable with each other as a pair of lovers.

My Verdict – Superb For Some But Not Others
I can understand why You Are My Hero is a superb drama for some viewers. This is a very positive romance drama with no silly misunderstandings and breakups which is similar to Sunshine Of My Life and Forever Love. The female character is strong and independent. There is communication between the lovers and they are supportive of each other when times are tough. The romance progresses at a realistic pace and the screenwriters build a strong foundation for the love to grow.

On the flip side, some may find it boring and draggy like I did. You really need to be patient for the romance to progress and grow on you if you are not really interested to watch the characters at work in the beginning. Furthermore, this is not a drama whereby you can expect lots of passion and kisses. It is a relatively clean drama and I guess they need to keep it that way to pass the censorship board given that the main character is a police officer. Personally, I think it is better that way because it gives the relationship a different feel from the usual romance dramas. But if you prefer hotter and more passionate scenes like in Love Designer, you won’t find that same feel in You Are My Hero.

Overall, I would give this You Are My Hero review a score of 8/10. It is a watchable production for those who like simple storylines and clean plots with a slice-of-life feel to the protagonists’ story. Despite my own personal take that it has long boring stretches, it is only fair to also highlight the positives which lead the drama to a strong finish. Give it a try if you want a realistic and positive feel to your love story but drop it if you are looking for an intense romance drama.

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Cliches Overload!

My impression on Please Feel At Ease Mr. Ling after watching the whole drama is that it tries to do too much with a 24-episode series. As a result, the story is all over the place. Just consider this – sibling rivalry, adoption angle, amnesia, co-habitation, jealous love rivals, childhood link, minor breakup, rich man and poor girl are all part and parcel of this drama. It is fine for a romance drama to have cliches. Moonlight and Miss Crow With Mr. Lizard also has a co-habitation and jealous love rival storyline respectively. But there is no necessity to include every imaginable cliche to make it into a story. Moreover, there are also those accidental hugs and stares in Please Feel At Ease Mr. Ling which you can already predict the moment a certain scene appears.

What is pitiful is that the drama actually starts off pretty good in the first episode notwithstanding the plot holes which are aplenty throughout the 24 episodes. But after that, everything is just too basic and draggy until the last few episodes when there is a sudden twist. It is basic because they try to do too much that events are introduced and then glossed over. There are no details provided as everything moves very fast especially on the business front. So, don’t expect to know how outcomes are achieved. Orders are given and they just happened. If you like this kind of simplicity, then it might work for you. But if you prefer more well-written stories, this should be avoided completely.

Plot Weaknesses
I’m not one who likes to look for plot holes whenever I watch a drama. But the plot weaknesses in Please Feel At Ease Mr. Ling are just too obvious. Ling Yue has a phobia against a large amount of water as he was pushed into a pool by his brother when he was a kid. But somehow, he managed to get himself out of the sea when his car crashed into it at the beginning of the drama. Then, in a later episode, he fainted while at the beach because he was afraid of the water. The inconsistency is just too glaring. Apart from water, Ling Yue is also afraid of cockroaches, dogs, and height!

Furthermore, I just find the obsession that some of these characters have for another is just overdone because they are all related in some way. An Xin’s foster brother loves her but she loves Ling Yue. Her foster sister, Xin Er, also loves Ling Yue. If that is not enough, Ling Yue’s brother is obsessed over Xin Er as well in a merry-go-round sort of romantic entanglement!

While it may sound complicated, it is actually quite straightforward in the drama because their feelings are clearly laid out. But the coincidences are just too much. A brother loving his sister (it reminds me of Go Ahead), 2 sisters loving the same man, and a man loving one of the sisters who loves his brother basically sum up the romance part of the story. I don’t know but it just seems such a weird situation to me. There is really no necessity to elevate the entanglement to this level as time could be better spent on a more in-depth plot.

Little Chemistry Between The Leads
A top notch chemistry between the leads can actually save a romance drama from mediocrity even if it has nothing more than a thin plot. My Little Happiness is one such example. The right chemistry could also make a drama sweeter to charm viewers such as Forever Love and Perfect And Casual. But Rosy Zhao and Terry Liu just don’t have enough sparks between them to make it happen in Please Feel At Ease Mr. Ling. The natural feel for the kind of deep love for each other is simply missing. Even her partnership with the much older Lin Yu Shen in Dating In The Kitchen has better chemistry and is more pleasurable to watch.

Perhaps Terry Liu’s inexperience is a drawback and it shows. His acting is still too stiff that he can’t really keep up with the more adept Rosy Zhao. After all, she has played this kind of roles before and portraying An Xin shouldn’t be difficult for her. I just wonder if another male lead could have saved this drama if the pairing has better chemistry overall.

My Verdict – Don’t Waste Your Time!
It is hard for me to recommend giving Please Feel At Ease Mr. Ling a try given the poorly written storyline. Unless you are a Rosy Zhao fan, there is really little reason to watch this when there are plenty of other rom-coms and romance dramas out there. Perhaps the basic plot which doesn’t delve too much into the business aspect may resonate with those who prefer simplicity. But then again, even the ending for some of the characters doesn’t give you the required satisfaction as a viewer.

I suppose if you really want to give it a go, you can do so by skipping some boring parts. The middle of the drama is a little draggy and you can probably skip it to go straight to the last few episodes for the ending. This is really not a drama that will remain in your mind after it is over unlike Love Is Sweet or Begin Again whereby there are parts that are worth a rewatch. Of course, if you can feel the chemistry between the leads, it will be a different story. Then, this drama will be more watchable to you despite the weak plot.

Overall, for this Please Feel At Ease Mr. Ling review, I would give it a score of 6/10. It is not my cup of tea mainly because of the plot which is not properly planned with too many unnecessary cliches. 24 episodes also isn’t really the type of drama that you would want to have too many things going on and 4 couples to share the screen time with. The end result is a bland production that fails to evoke viewers’ emotions towards any of the characters.

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Need Some Warming Up!

The way I see it is that there are 2 main reasons why you might end up abandoning Ancient Love Poetry after a few episodes. One is the actress. It is a case of love or hate. If you love Zhou Dong Yu as Shang Gu, it is easier to enjoy the story. This is because everything that happens revolves around her. Hence, if you think she was wrongly casted as the female lead, then it might just turn you off as you watch. For me, I don’t think she is perfect for the role. It took me some time to warm up to her and the way she portrayed the role with her smiles. She just doesn’t have the aura of a Chief God to me.

Two is the slow start. The beginning plot is very typical of a xianxia drama. The presence of an imprisoned Demon Lord trying to break free and a young goddess falling in love with a more matured and cold god actually remind me of Love And Destiny and Eternal Love Of Dream. So, the familiar storyline is there but the good news is it is condensed to about 16 episodes before the second arc begins. Nevertheless, that is still 16 episodes to sit through if you find the start to be boring.

In short, Ancient Love Poetry will need some warming up for a section of viewers before the story starts to get more captivating and you begin to get used to the female lead. Basically, some patience is needed if you can’t get into the story from the word go.

Interesting Overall Plot
Despite the familiar opening plot, I find the story takes a more refreshing turn after 16 episodes. There is a certain anticipation of how Hou Chi, Bo Xuan, and Qing Mu are related to Shang Gu and Bai Jue. You know there is a connection there which would make you look forward to the moment everything is revealed. So, the boredom dissipates by the time you reach the second arc of the story.

In addition, the supporting characters are interesting to give a more complete and satisfying drama. Despite being gods and immortals, they have their struggles and selfishness to protect the person they loved such as Tian Qi and Mu Guang. Most dramas do not have well-developed supporting characters but not Ancient Love Poetry. I think the team did well to give more life to these characters to heighten the viewers’ emotions to the story.

Acting And Chemistry
As mentioned, I’m not too gung-ho about Zhou Dong Yu’s portrayal of Shang Gu. It has nothing to do with her looks. Instead, the switch from a playful to a more commanding goddess is not obvious when required. She doesn’t have the screen presence to carry that aura of a Chief God convincingly. In contrast, I think Yang Mi did it better in Ten Miles Of Peach Blossoms as one can see her character’s commanding nature when the scene calls for it.

In a way, Zhou Dong Yu’s performance seems to be overshadowed by Jenny Zhang’s portrayal of Wu Huan to me. Wu Huan is a hateful but insecure character due to her past experience. But the way Jenny Zhang displays Wu Huan’s regal stature and deceit is very persuasive which is why it is easy for viewers to hate her.

As for Xu Kai, playing Bai Jue or Qing Mu isn’t really a problem to him anymore. He is a pretty versatile actor and can be cold or mischievous like in Dance Of The Sky Empire. At least, I can detect a difference in Xu Kai’s portrayal of Bai Jue and Qing Mu which are 2 different characters in the drama.

The chemistry between Zhou Dong Yu and Xu Kai isn’t off the charts but good enough to make it watchable to me. There are sad moments for the couple in the drama and their watery eyes could break your heart. This is where this couple could hook you and make it hard for you to let them go after the drama is over. But generally, I find that the teasings, quarrels, hugs, and kisses are like most on-screen couples which is nothing really extraordinary.

My Verdict – Watch!
Ancient Love Poetry isn’t perfect but the overall plot is good enough to keep you interested once you have warmed up to the story and actress. It is the initial stage that you possibly need to get over to go on to enjoy the drama. Moreover, not everyone will find the first arc to be boring. It really depends on your tolerance level for recycled plots. It is also obvious that this is a high budget production compared to the usual romance dramas. The CGIs are realistic and costumes look beautiful. All these little details add up to give viewers a quality production.

My opinion is not to let the actress and first few episodes to bother you too much if those are what make you hesitant. Be a little patient to wait for the story to unfold. I know 16 out of 49 episodes is a little long to gauge if it is worth watching but I think the characters will grow on you as you follow their journey. I see this as a plot-driven drama and the supporting characters also have their own backstories to keep things more engaging.

For this Ancient Love Poetry review, I would give it a score of 8/10. Some would love it while others would end up dropping it. I’m not crazy over it like some fans and I don’t think this is the best drama for 2021 because the chemistry could be better and the ending is rather predictable and simplistic especially the last scene. But it is still worth a watch for the plot and well-developed characters. Don’t be swayed by the high ratings by international audience and the low ratings by Chinese viewers. To me, it is somewhere between the 2 and that is a fairer assessment for Ancient Love Poetry.

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Good Reasons For Watching

Crash Landing On You is more than just romance to me which is a good reason to give it a high rating. Some aspects of North Korean life is projected in the drama which is not only an eye-opener but also gives it a unique background to the story. No doubt, the plot is all pure fantasy but the North Korean angle adds an interesting layer to the romance that follows.

Moreover, the drama manages to evoke intense feelings in viewers as the cross-border love becomes stronger but separation between the 2 lovers is inevitable. You will cry buckets in some scenes especially the separation in the last episode. So, getting tissues ready is highly recommended before you start watching. But apart from the romance, you will also be able to feel the care and camaraderie among friends. There are comical moments to lighten the mood too after more serious scenes that weigh down your feelings. In short, the drama has a little bit of everything that gel together very nicely into a great production.

Chemistry Between The Leads
The chemistry between Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin simply sizzles in Crash Landing On You. They certainly played their roles well to convince us that they are falling deeply in love deeply with each other. Perhaps the events in the story help it along as they need to sacrifice much to protect one another. But their eyes, facial expressions, and body language are often able to convey their deepest feelings to make us feel moved. The tears seem real as we cry along with them. I guess Son Ye Jin does live up to her Melodrama Queen tag each time.

I think the supporting cast also did a great job especially the soldiers and village women. Their portrayals of the unique personalities of their respective characters give the drama much more depth. They are interesting to watch rather than just mere props to support the main leads. The guest appearance by Ha Seok Jin as Jeung Hyuk’s elder brother is also a nice surprise. I first noticed him in Something About 1 Percent and that is a fun watch as well.

My Verdict
Crash Landing On You is definitely worth watching although the starting could be a little slow. It takes about 3 to 4 episodes for me to warm up to the story before I was really into it. But once you get on the ride, you will be rooting for the couple. The idea of lovers being forced apart is always going to hurt and yet, there is also always hope. Set against the political realities of North and South Korea, the story becomes even more melodramatic and the feelings more intense. Hence, they don’t even need steamy kisses to sell this romance drama. Well, they do have kisses but they tend to be sweet and far more innocent than what you would see in Her Private Life or What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim.

For this Crash Landing On You review, I would give it a 8.5/10 rating. I deducted some points for the slow start and the rushed ending. Watch it for the North Korean element, great chemistry of the main leads, and intense emotions it successfully evokes. And of course, the good-looking Hyun Bin and beautiful Son Ye Jin!

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The plot
Netflix's latest k-drama ‘Vincenzo’ takes the viewer on a tumultuous ride from the first episode of Italian mafia games to later episodes of dark undercurrents of South Korea’s own real estate mafia. Adopted into the Cassano family, our k-drama lead Song Joong-ki is a formidable lawyer with a bloody past & a dormant but deviant streak of ruthlessness. Repurcussions of family wars in Italy see Vincenzo heading over to his home country where he gets entangled with a snarky law firm and a rag-tag bunch of small business owners fighting to save, of all things…a mall. 'Vincenzo' starts off on a dark note but quickly dovetails into comic-thriller-meets-revenge-drama. Adding to the multiple plot lines, Vincenzo Cassano has his own “mission” - to find his gold.

What works?
'Vincenzo' revels in startling all k-drama enthusiasts with its slick shots, tight storytelling and visionary casting. The series starts off with glimpses into our dark hero’s journey back to his motherland while subtly weaving in each of Geumga Plaza’s characters until they form the black-suit-and-sunglasses clad “Cassano family” halfway through the series. Jeon Yeo-bin shines as Vincenzo Cassano's partner-in-crime, and her evolution from an amoral lawyer to a fighter for justice ticks all the right boxes.

Song Joong-Ki as the consigliere-turned-saviour is mesmerising to watch. As Vincenzo Cassano, Song Joong-Ki effortlessly showcases the anti-hero, a far cry from his cute & loveable acts in the wildly popular k-drama classics 'Descendents of the Sun' & 'Sungkyunkwan Scandal'. Ok Taecyeon’s descent into darkness is deliciously unexpected, and somewhere along the way the viewer can be forgiven for completely forgetting Ok Taecyeon’s winsome portrayal in ‘Hey Ghost, Let's Fight’! The budding bromance between Vincenzo Cassano and Jang Han Seo is also heartwarming to watch.

What doesn’t work?
Song Joong-Ki aka Vincenzo Cassano showcasing his “human” side, including the comic touch of his relationship with the pigeon Ansagi occasionally dents the black aura of an Italian-returned mafia leader. The soundtrack though pleasant, becomes predictably repetitive invoking a mismatched sense of déjà vu from the previous episodes of the series. There’s also a blatant disregard for the legal system; court proceedings & lawyer arguments look frivolous, demoting the overall gravity of the plot line. This seems almost intentional, the screenwriters exercising their creative license by showcasing a flexible judicial system. Barring this particular storytelling ploy, for the most parts, 'Vincenzo' is quite grounded as k-dramas go.

Last thoughts and verdict
In a nutshell, ‘Vincenzo’ doesn’t follow k-dramas’ well-known tropes. The writing is fairly “real” while twists & turns are logically explained away. As the viewer sinks further into the series, each character’s dealings & their importance to Vincenzo Cassano is effortlessly peeled away. The Netflix series named after Song Joong-Ki’s titular character actually involves all of Geumga Plaza’s residents. 'Vincenzo' is a story of revenge, slow-burn romance and a smidge of gang violence. Stunning visuals, top-notch production and a stellar cast only make this a captivating watch.

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Is This A Chinese BL Drama?

Many people have asked about the extent of the BL factor in The Untamed. Some prefer more explicit romantic scenes between the 2 male leads while others don’t. To me, the BL scenes are very subtle. All you will get are just longing stares and teasings. Unless you have read the novel, you probably won’t even get the love message behind some of these conversations and scenes featuring Wuxian and Wangji. I guess they did get the balance right. It doesn’t offend those who are more conservative while it still has enough subtleties to excite fans of this novel. If you can’t get enough of them, you can also listen to the theme song, Wu Ji (无羁), which they sang as a duet.

The Acting
Xiao Zhan is a joy to watch as he managed to bring the Wuxian character to life. Wuxian is a pretty well-developed character with a wide range of emotions. He can be cocky, playful, sweet, and dark. You can see his change in demeanor from his body language and facial expression that it is very easy to become invested in this character.

On the other hand, Wangji’s personality is very reserved and expressionless. Hence, I feel it is a much more challenging role to assume. But thanks to the great chemistry between Xiao Zhan and Wang Yi Bo, they managed to show that Wangji is capable of deep emotions although he might look cold.

I have not much to complain about regarding the rest of the cast. Some are great such as Paul Yu Bin who played Wen Ning while others are passable. But the highlight is still the 2 main leads and this is what I find pushes the drama up a notch.

Overall Verdict
I have to say that The Untamed can be a bit difficult to follow especially for those who have not read the novel. There are plenty of characters that somehow tie up to one another to create a chain reaction that can be confusing in the initial stages. There is also a lack of explanation on certain important aspects such as the flute that Wuxian wields and the Stygian Tiger Seal. The ending is open to interpretation and viewers are never really told how and why the ultimate mastermind arranged the whole scheme. The clues are there but you would have to piece them together and make some guesses.

However, I wouldn’t say that the whole drama and its ending are disappointing. In contrast, it is very much worth a watch. You just have to be patient to gradually pull off the layers and understand the full picture. After all, about 30 episodes are flashbacks to give viewers the back story of Wuxian. It is certainly not as straightforward as TVB’s Deep In The Realm Of Conscience or so heroic like the Heaven Sword And Dragon Sabre.

My overall verdict for The Untamed review would be to watch it for the plot and chemistry between the 2 male leads. Be patient and after about 10 episodes or so, you will be able to get into the story and can’t let go from there. The BL factor is not as strong as the feeling of brotherhood which supercedes any romantic notions to me. While others might interpret it differently, it doesn’t detract from the overall plot and enjoyability of this xianxia drama. So, go and watch it!

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A good start

City of Streamer could really have been a great drama from start to finish but somehow, the wheels fell off as it crosses past the 30th episode. The story starts off well as it is engages you with the relationship complexities of the Rong family and the excitement of Shi Zhen’s spying activities. We are also not told what exactly happened in the past. Hence, there is the intrigue and curiosity there as to why certain characters are against the villain.

Moreover, the female lead is an educated, courageous, and independent woman despite it being a Republican era drama. So, there is a certain satisfaction in watching her story develop and how she is able to think for herself. However, there is a shock to the story in the last quarter of the drama and this is where it gets overly dramatic to me. It doesn’t render it unwatchable but I strongly believe it could have been better written. This is because once the shock is revealed in Episode 30, the plot basically becomes predictable.

A Revenge Plot (Spoilers Alert!)
If you expect City Of Streamer to be a fluffy romance drama, you will be disappointed. The main focus is actually revenge with love thrown in to up the ante and dramatic aspects of the story. Where it starts to falter is the reveal that the couple could be half-siblings. By then, they have already consummated their relationship. Now, this is where it gets predictable to me because you know they can’t be related since they have already slept together. From there, it doesn’t take much for you to guess who killed the female lead’s parents. What is left is only the details and the fate of the couple and villain which will then keep you hooked to the end.

The other thing that doesn’t feel good to me is the whitewashing of the second male lead’s crimes. In the last quarter of the drama, he is suddenly depicted as a good man when he had tried to kill Jia Shang earlier for the sins of the latter’s father. The collateral damage he caused in his quest for revenge didn’t seem to bother Shi Zhen as she worked closely with him to bring down the villain towards the end.

So, there are weaknesses to the plot which are concentrated mainly in the last 10 episodes. The focus on the revenge to wrap up the story may be apt as it started out that way. But I think some parts are shortchanged in the process and it shows in how the story flowed towards the conclusion.

Not A Really Romantic Story
City Of Streamer is not a typical breezy romance drama with a lot of lovey-dovey moments like Love At Night or Why Women Love. It has a more matured and serious feel to it. The guy is hopelessly in love with the girl while the latter wants revenge against his father. So, you can already expect theirs to be a complicated relationship. There is no simple getting together because they fell in love. In fact, their actual dating life only lasts about 4 episodes out of 40 in total. Thus, this couple’s sweet moments and skinship are definitely in short supply in this drama.

What replaces a full-fledged relationship though is the yearning and suppressed feelings especially on the girl’s part due to her need for revenge. The love undertones are obvious to the viewers but it is just that you don’t get that satisfaction of seeing them throwing caution to the wind and embarking on a romance until pretty late in the drama and that also for a rather brief period.

Therefore, City Of Streamer may not fit the bill of a truly romantic tale unless love vibes and chemistry alone are enough for you to get your fill of the romance. Furthermore, some viewers might have issue with the female lead who appears rather cold at times because of what happened to her family.

A Revengeful Female Character
If you like watching a smart and independent-minded female character, you would probably be able to relate to Shi Zhen. But her past caused her to become revengeful towards the villain. Hence, she can’t let go of that need to see justice done despite how much the male lead loves her. In City Of Streamer, Jia Shang’s love for Shi Zhen is pure and sincere. He tries his best to accommodate and make it up to her.

But Shi Zhen’s love for Jia Shang is more restrained. At certain times, her hatred towards his father seems greater than the love she has for him. So, if you are looking for a sweet romance, then Shi Zhen might appear as too cold and cruel towards the male lead. But if you are watching this for the revenge plot, then Shi Zhen’s actions will become understandable.

Personally, I find her coldness went up a notch in the last quarter of the drama which is a little inconsistent with her overall character and the depth of her feelings for Jia Shang. But it is still acceptable to me though because I don’t think it will be realistic either for the character to easily forgive and forget.

Chemistry Drives The Romance
The leads’ acting is commendable in City Of Streamer. The casting and styling were done right with the female lead appearing more matured than the male which is consistent with the characters in the story. Jing Tian gives Shi Zhen an aura of confidence and modernity. She is neither too cold nor too ardent and appears to be able to strike a balance between a revengeful and caring woman at heart with her depiction of the character.

Timmy Xu plays Jia Shang well and portrays him as a wuss when it comes to love but stubborn and determined against his father. The hardened expressions and anger when interacting with his father gives viewers the impression that he is a man with a spine. But when it comes to Shi Zhen, the softened expressions and yearning in his face reveal the depth of his love for her.

Put Jiang Tian and Timmy Xu together and the chemistry is obvious on screen. The longings are expressed through their eyes and gazes. They may not have a lot of sweet moments to show off their love in the drama but their interactions are ladened with unspoken feelings and desire similar to Because of Love. In short, their sizzling chemistry drives the romance in the drama to make viewers crave for more.

My Verdict – Go Ahead And Watch!
City Of Streamer is definitely a Republican drama that is worth a watch. No doubt, there will be the usual concubines and the inferior status of women as part of the story. But it is not the focus of the drama if you are worried about watching a group of women fighting for a rich man’s attention. Instead, you will be getting revenge as the main plot with greed, murder, illicit love, and other heavy topics being present along the way. Hence, I’m not too sure if younger viewers will enjoy this as City Of Streamer is far off from the usual school romance dramas like Shining For One Thing and Our Secret.

The overall story is captivating to me and chances are you will get hooked in the beginning. The pace slows down a little around the middle but it doesn’t really feel dragged out unnecessarily. It is easy to fall in love with the male lead and there is developing maturity in his character as the drama progresses. The female lead may be colder but she is a strong character that viewers can root for. They are not many kisses to look out for but they did include a passionate one that would make you press for replay.

For this City Of Streamer review, I would give it a score of 7.5/10. There are weaknesses to the plot and screenwriting but they are not a serious hindrance to the overall enjoyability. Watch it for the plot and the leads’ chemistry but don’t expect a fluffy romance drama to avoid disappointment.

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Don't miss it !

Who said sagueks can’t be fun to watch? If you leave out the royals and their various conspiracies to sit on the throne, there must be still somewhere a story worthwhile to tell, set away from the palaces and closer to the common folk. Tale of Nokdu does have its fair share of royals, albeit far far fewer from the other shows, (where we are presented to the king’s numerous wives and offsprings), but all that surprisingly takes a backseat to a jovial screwball comedy for its first half. Nokdu, our titular character (an endearing Jang Dong Yoon) finds himself at a widow’s village after he follows the assassin that attacked his family back at his island hometown.

To find out anything further, he has no option but to dress up as a widow and enter the village. In an era where gender duties and definitions were clear cut and specific, it thereby becomes instantly hilarious to watch Nokdu wiggle in and out of embarrassing situations. The show takes its leisure time (here) to let us and Nokdu bask in the absurdity of the situation, as he tries to escape from bathing together with the other widows, or trying to hide his ripped muscles and the very clear absence of breasts, or just trying to carry out a proper conversation with the other women.

He quickly realises that just putting on a dress, and changing one’s voice doesn’t make one a woman, and while he might be stronger to help out with chores that require physical labour, Nokdu is subsequently also exposed to the hardships faced by these widows after their husbands passed away, all of which led to the creation of the widows village in the first place.

Parallelly with all this, runs the story of King Gwanghae (Jung Joon Ho), whom we are exposed to through some bits and pieces in the first half, but as the show approaches the midpoint, and Nokdu finds himself embroiled in something larger than he anticipated to be, the show smoothly transforms into a political drama. With a tight screenplay, well adapted to the shorter, half an hour runtime, and some effective plot twists, the drama remains just as engaging.

To be truthful, Tale of Nokdu isn’t even much of a political drama as it is a family one. The whole plot is the result of the decisions that King Gwanghae makes as a newly crowned king and father. A family living in exile, a son in search of his biological father, and henceforth, his identity, a daughter living every day in anguish, planning to exact revenge on the man who killed her entire family — all characters suffer because of one man’s fear of a future predicted by a shaman.

Just like in the Grand Prince, the show explores the moral dilemmas of the Royals in respect to usurping the throne, except here that decision has already been taken, and the consequences suffered. Nevertheless, we are constantly (in the second half) exposed to the King’s various emotions, as we watch him turn into an enraged fool, clinging onto every thread of power left and a lonely man, whom everyone has turned their back on. In the end, it is sadly the fool that wins.

The king’s excessive stubbornness is exemplified by Nokdu’s big-heartedness, especially in how he, even after finding out his origins, never once abandons (or thinks of abandoning) his adoptive family. There are moments where he hopes to be accepted by his newfound family, and is even ready, to forgive them for their actions, but once it is made clear that there is no place for him, he immediately closes the lid on that tiny glimmer of hope.

Kim So Hyun is marvelous as Dong Joo. Her character was quite interesting, one that is at constant crossroads of what she is expecting from herself. I particularly liked how she is allowed to operate and execute her plans all by herself, her narrative never once intertwining with Nokdu’s narrative. It was something that she had to do on her own, and though it is an easy guess on what her plans are and the reason behind them, I still teared up when she finally reveals them to Nokdu.
Special shoutout to child actress Park Da Yeon. She was absolutely hilarious as Aeng Du!

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Note : This is not a review . I will be only telling the plus and minus of the show .

Pluses:
1. Compelling Leading Man Lead actor
Song Joong Ki, was perfect as Officer Yoo Shi Jin. I loved this character. He was cool, funny, self-aware, charming, strong and fair leader. Shi Jin was an attractive package. He saved the girl, people, and made the world a safer place, all while being a good guy. Shi Jin appealed to women and men viewers both. The women wanted to date Shi Jin and the men wanted to be Shi Jin. This was Joong Ki’s comeback project after serving his two years of mandatory military service. Will he ever top the popularity of this character? Joong Ki had superb chemistry with every character, even the ones with limited acting ability. His romantic relationship with the leading lady was a slow build. Because he risked his life everyday, he understood his love interest’s hesitation to commit to a relationship. But they were like magnets that pulled each other together and their relationship could not be denied. I enjoyed this pair’s mutual respect for each other.

2. Likable Leading Lady.
Lead actress, Song Hye Kyo, portrayed Doctor Kang Mo Yeon with a soft but strong stance. Mo Yeon evolved to connect with her humanity for others instead of the stove piped “it is about me” life. Mo Yeon was the voice of reason and caution in the romantic relationship with Shi Jin. She did not make the choice to have a romance with Shin Jin lightly. Should she get involved with a man that could die any day in the line of duty? Her heart said yes, but her brain cautioned her to say no. And she was right to be concerned. Loving Shi Jin did offer great joy but also offered a life of loneliness and fear when they were apart. Love doesn’t conquer all when you are alone and fearing for your partner’s well being. Shi Jin’s dangerous profession took him away without warning. During that time Hye Kyo’s portrayal of a woman in pain was superb.

3. Strong Second Leads.
The appealing second lead was Officer Dae Young, portrayed by Jin Goo. Dae Young was Shi Jin’s fellow soldier and best friend. His romance was a forbidden one because his love was a soldier complete with a disapproving father. Dae Young was quieter, steady, and true to his convictions, with a quick sense of humor. His counterpart was Officer Yoon Myeong Joo portrayed by Kim Ji Won. She was stuck loving Dae Young who refused to break the military rules and date her. In the first part of the series this character had limited story but came into her own in the second half of the series. Ji Won’s portrayal was excellent when Myeong Joo fought a deadly virus. Dae Young and Myeong Joo’s love story spent the first of the series longing for each other but kicked into gear in the second half. It was worth the wait.

4. Rich Romance.
Color me surprised that a military and medical drama had a superb romance between our leads and a solid romance between the secondary leads. Our leads were cute together delivering sassy banter, soul searching looks, and challenges to each other throughout the series. This couple had a level of maturity. Their chemistry was excellent. They respected each other. No, they did not always agree with the other’s choices, but they supported each other’s right to be individuals. Isn’t that awesome? They granted each other the right to make the best choice for them without making the other guilty. The second leads’ romance was a slower build to a solid couple. When the series started their romance was in the past. Whether to restart it was the question. Dae Young’s refused to break the rules putting Myeong Joo into a powerless position. She had to wait for him to open the door that she stood behind. But the payoff was there. Both couples took their time evolving their romantic relationships. Why rush? I enjoyed the ride with them.

5. Bromance Bliss.
I love a strong relationship between male characters (aka bromance). Shi Jin and Dae Young were the perfect bromance. They supported each other, joked with each other, and were honest and direct with each other on tough topics. During their military missions, they almost didn’t need to speak with each other, they knew each other so well that glances sufficed. The chemistry between Joong Ki and Jin Goo was excellent.

6. Service was Respected.
Most dramas are about individuals. Descendants of the Sun embraced service to the others. Service as a primary theme was unusual and refreshing. It provided a common thread that linked every military and medical person. United they made a terrific team. The military executed their missions to protect people or their country or both. The medical team realized helping others made them stronger people. At one point int he series, Mo Yeon wish for her graduating medical colleagues was “I hope everyone that took pledges can keep them throughout the earth and under the sun.” Mahatma Gandhi’s perspective is undeniable “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

7. Cohesive Story.
The writers balanced the military and medical into a cohesive story. The first episode was nearly perfect. When they went to the foreign location the story was solid, peaking during episodes that dealt with the aftermath of the earthquake. When they returned to Korea there was a slight downturn in the story. The series was written by Kim Eun Sook (Secret Garden and The Heirs) and Kim Won Suk (The Queen’s Classroom). The writers delivered terrific banter in the form of playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks between all our characters. I’m a professed “banter-holic” and this series hit the mark for me. Descendants of the Sun was preproduced before airing, unusual was most dramas use the live-shoot production format. I think this allowed the writers for formulate a complete story and the production team to bring the drama to fruition missing some of the typical latter third of the series pitfalls many dramas have using the live-shoot format.

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Minuses :
1. Foreign locations meant foreign actors which meant sub par acting. There were varying degrees of acting skills in our foreign actors. Some were stilted, like the bartender, and some did not have the depth of acting necessary to play their character to the fullest like Mr. Bad (David McInnis). The behind-the-scenes special stated the Urk children had never acted before. This was not a surprise. While annoying, the writers maintained the right balance so the foreign characters were secondary in the episodes. The vast majority of the episodes were not downgraded due to bad acting.

2. Okay Final Episode. Why are final episodes often lacking in dramas? This one had a strong first half as our couples resolved their issues. But after that it was a collection victory lap scenes that did not feel cohesive. In the final scene, they broke the fourth wall and spoke directly to the audience. It did not add value so it came off more perplexing than positive.

3. Our leading man was Ironman. Shi Jin unrealistically avoided major injury when he should have been injured. Episode 14 was especially ridiculous, flat lining one minute then engaging in a face-off with rogue North Korean soldier the next.

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Would I Recommend this Series?
Absolutely. Joong Ki’s perfect portrayal of the leading man Shi Jin was the driver for the series. The lead’s romance was just that – romantic – taking it’s time and it was worth the wait. It was terrific to see a leading couple that respected each other. The secondary lead’s romance also hit the mark. The chemistry between the leads, the second leads, and the leads as a foursome was superb. The writers deftly balanced the military missions, the medical team’s deployment, and a delivered real romance between two couples. This drama isn’t perfect, but it has intangibles that mitigate many of the negatives.

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Woman Empowerment in a Different Way

What happens when a “peanut size” (his words, not mine) woman with super strength tries to save the world? You get a historic drama that challenges the conventional roles.Strong Woman Do Bong Soon is one such drama. Now, there are many woman empowering series or dramas with strong woman characters. However, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon is a little different and here’s why.

In a country like South Korea that has developed so much in no time, gender roles are still much traditional. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon features a woman character physically stronger than her male counterparts. Where most woman are projected as a damsel in distress waiting to be rescued, this one comes as a change of air where the male leads standby and watch things unfold (not always but that’s a start).

Characters

Do Bong Soon has literally become one of my all time favourite characters. She know her priorities straight. Maybe it’s because of her strength that she takes on things and beats up guys without batting an eye. But it’s because she is Bong Soon she never gives up, even when the world calls out her worth and intelligence. Bong Soon stands up against the wrong, stand by her friends, protects her loved ones but also exposes her vulnerable side from time to time. Such a strong character placed inside a tiny woman makes it all the more charming.

An Minhyuk- this guy is a dream. Everything about him is lovable, his righteousness, his fun suave office behaviour, his passionate love, and even his anger and concern for Bong Soon. This drama was definitely the most cutest one, I couldn’t stop smiling whenever I would witness Min Hyuk swooning over Bong Soon. It made me feel all the butterflies in my stomach. Park Hyung Sik admitted to having a crush on Park Bo Young and it so evident in the drama. He wants her to take the main frame and be the main character. What I loved the most is that there are instances where he wants to ‘be the man’ and protect Bong Soon but there are also instances where he ‘man’s up’ and realises her strength.

He respects her family, her decisions, her space, and the fact that she is special. Infact, it is her abilities and her good heart that makes him fall deeper for her.
(What a guy! Do they manufacture them anymore?)

Gook Doo’s character tries to keep a balance between progressive actions and regressive thoughts. A macho man with a lot of pride. Initially, cold with his love interest and later somewhat a Tsundere. He tries to protect Bong Soon like a fragile leaf who possibly can’t take care of herself. His views on her being a ‘tiny little woman’ don’t falter much even after finding out about her strength. His character provides all the conventional elements in the drama. I love the fact that he did not get hung up on his girlfriend seeing someone else considering he had feelings for someone too. And is actually cool about crossing paths with his ex and even protecting her. We find his true strength in setting aside his feelings for Bong Soon and maintaining his friendship with her.

The whole Bong Soon family, Secretary Gong, Head of planning department Oh Dol-ppyeo and Baek Tak gang were great additions to the drama. They complemented the drama well. In fact, the whole cast did great acting.

Plot / Story developments

Now, I also want to talk about something interesting here. This series is one of the few where the guy or his pride isn’t hurt in acknowledging that his woman is stronger than him and can protect him better than himself. Not only does he acknowledge it, he embraces it! Korea still isn’t entirely open on the idea of LGBT but the show has given full blown screen time to bromance between ‘Gook Doo’ and ‘Min Hyuk’. Not only this, they also featured a gay character and his interaction with the rest of characters is both fun and interesting.

The series doesn’t pit woman against each other. Well, not really! I love how Bong Soon’s parents take care of Kyung Shim like she is their own kid, and the lengths Do Bong Soon goes to just to save her friend. She even backs of and subdues her feelings for Gook Doo, because he has a woman. This line of plot had a great message, that it isn’t impossible to get over someone you thought you never could. If you actually shift your eyes around a better door will open.

Moralities

Another important message is via Bong Soon’s will to help out the weak and abused with her power. She makes a faithful following out of the drop out kids who leave their ganster like antics. They actually start cleaning up the neighborhood and try to protect Bong Soon even from Min Hyuk. (How cute!)

My Verdict - Loved nevertheless , hilarious

There’s hardly anything that I don’t like. Maybe (just maybe!) the Bak Tae story development could have reduced screen time especially around the whole turning into a monk thing. But I loved that nevertheless, it was funny. The soundtrack is amazing and so in-sync with the story. Be it the cute song Heartbeat, the beautifully mellow You are my Garden or the fun and upbeat Double Trouble Couple and Pit-a-Pat I love them all. Most of the main tracks are sung from a woman’s perspective which is understandable. Super Power Girl should be declared a girl’s anthem!

Ending

The wedding scene was so good and deserves a special mention. You can easily see how Park Hyung Sik is actually swooning over Park Bo Young. I loved the fact that they end up with two girls, who have Bong Soon’s super strength. (Ah! Poor Min Hyuk!) Not only would I say, get a guy like Ahn Hye Min who looks at you and treats you the way he treats Do Bong Song. I would also say get a girl like Do Bong Song who would love you with all her heart and protect you from any danger. (Don’t mind the tiny injuries) All in all, it was an amazing one-of-a-kind drama that I have actively watched more than once or twice. (And that doesn’t happen often!)

Why watch it?

- If you are a Park Bo Young, Park Hyung Sik or Kim Jisoo fan
- If you like woman centric Kdramas
- If you are into rom-coms
- If you are into action and thriller
- Amazing storyline and ensemble cast
- Great OST
- If you like ageyo, cute couple type dramas

One of the drama that I give the highest rating and my favourite drama too !

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